Jar or container



Oct. 7, 1947. v SCHRQEDER Er 2,428,588

JAR 0R CONTAINER Filed July 7, 1945 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS I JOHN BJ IEEK HARRY E. SCHROEDER 2 sheets-Sheet 2 v, RK D m .n V4 WM W 3) 3 f A Q m. i m

H. E. SCHROEDER ET AL JAR OR CONTAINER Filed July 7, 194;

Patented Oct. 7, 1947 JAR OR CONTAINER Harry E. Schroeder and John B. Meek, Cleveland, Ohio Application July 7, 1943, Serial No. 493,718

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a thermal jar or container adapted to be filled with liquids and/or foods, whereby such contents may be maintained at substantially the temperature thereof when first placed in the jar or container, ready for later consumption. Jars or containers of this type are used under various conditions, but find wide use by persons at picnic parties. Jars and containers of this type, so far as our knowledge goes, have been round in cross section and provided with upstanding filling and emptying spouts or necks having exterior closures or protruding elements, a handle on the top of the jar and in some instances a pet cock on the side wall of the jar. Pet cocks are objectionable since they clog easily and are difficult to open, and where the filling opening of the jar is utilized for emptying it of liquids or semi-liquids, the jar must be bodily lifted and tilted and the device (such as a drinking cup) to be filled must be placed on a support or held by another person. Furthermore, these various protruding parts take up an undue amount of room and hence prevent ready and economical packing with other articles (boxes, pans and the like) in a car for transportation.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved jar or container of the type having a non-circular shape in cross section, whereby it may be positioned on its side on a support in position for pouring without danger of rolling off or moving into a different position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved jar or container of this type one side wall of which is fiat, whereby the jar may be positioned on its side wall on a support and to form in its top wall adjacent said flat side wall an emptying opening, so that the contents of the jar may be discharged without bodily movement thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved jar or container of this type having a non-circular shape in cross section whereby it may be positioned on its side on a support and to mount in its top wall adjacent one side of the jar combined sealing and discharging devices, constructed to permit discharge of the jar contents without removal of the sealing device, whereby filling of drinking cups and the like is facilitated and lifting and. tilting of the jar is avoided.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved jar or container of this type having a polygonal shape in cross section and flat bottom and top walls, the latter being formed with an opening and shaped to accommodate the closure for the opening and carrying handle for the jar flush with its top surface.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved jar or container of this type of nonc ircular shape in cross section and having in its A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved jar of this type wherein the outlet neck on the inner wall is protected against damage.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which our invention relates from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a jar embodying our invention.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2a is a fragmentary section on the line 2a-2a of Fig. 1, enlarged.

Fig. 3 is a side View, parts being broken away, showing one way of discharging the jar contents into a receptacle.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary sections on the lines 4-4, 5-5 and 6-6, respectively, of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation showing a modification.

Fig. 7a is a view partly in elevation and partly in section showing a different modification.

In the drawings, l indicates as an entirety a jar or container, adapted to be filled with liquids, semi-liquids and edibles, either in a heated or chilled condition, and comprising sides la, a bottom lb and a top to, the sides being polygonal (preferably substantially square) in cross section; these parts consist of inner and outer members 2, 3, respectively in spaced relation, the spaces between them being filled with a suitable heat insulating material, which in itself or by reason of its cellular formation, provides a wall or walls having a low co-efficient of heat conductivity, whereby undue change in temperature of the contents placed in the jar is prevented for a relatively long period of time. In practice we prefer to use ground cork 3' as the heat insulating material.

The inner member 2 is preferably molded in any suitable manner from suitable clay material and other ingredients, whereby its Walls are rigid and integrally related. By preference the inner member has a cross section similar to that of the sides la, to provide a. maximum volumetric space 3 connected by rounded or curvilinear portions 2a, to facilitate cleaning of the member 2, which arrangement permits the connectionof the; walls of the outer member to be similarly related, the latter arrangement greatly facilitating packing of the jar with other articles and removal there- 4 in an in-operative position when the jar contents are being discharged (see Fig. 3).

The combined sealing and emptying. devices 2 7 comprise the following: 'i indicates an annulus preferably formed of sheet metal and consisting ofan inner wall la, which extends into the neck from. The top wall of the member 2 is formed suitably shaped to provide screw threads to rewith a filling and emptying opening 21) having an outwardly extending neck 20, for connection with combined sealing and emptying or discharge devices indicated as an entirety at 2, the opening 2b being eccentrically related to the axis of the inner member 2, so that one side of the opening 2b may be in substantially contiguous relation to one side wall of the member 2 to facilitate emptying of th jar; as later set forth. In the arrangement referred to, that side of the container l adjacent the opening 22) is disposed at right angles to a plane cutting the axis thereof and the axis of the container. That side of the neck 20 which is next to the sidewall of the member 2 is extended laterally and outwardly to form a pouring spout 2:0. The neck 20 is preferably formed. integrally with the walls of the inner member. It will be obvious that the inner side wall 290 of the member 2 next to the opening 21) may be inclined from its bottom wall outwardly relative to the axis of the member, as shown in Fig. 7a, to facilitate emptying thereof when the jar is positioned as shown in Fig. 3.

The outer member 3 is preferably formed of sheet metal sections secured to ether in any desired manner, for example, a main section 3a, the end edges. of which are connected by a lap joint 3a, and end sections 312-, 3b, shaped to fit over the bottom and top of the inner member 2, to form the bottom wall lb and top wall lc, respectively,.of the jar, the peripheries of the sections 3b, 3b, being suitably secured to the side edges of the main section why a suitable joint, preferably consisting of flanges in lapped relation forming externalribs 3m; in this arrangement, the ribs 3:1: extend around'the sides I a and are spaced from the bottom lb and top lo, and those portions of the ribs on that side wall of the jar adjacent the opening 2b are utilized to support it on the table or the like, when the jar is in pouring position (Fig.3), with the adjacent side la above the table. In this arrangement of the ribs 311:, the jar I may be moved outwardly to position the spout: beyond the side of the table when filling. a glass or other receptacle or moved in the opposite direction, as shownin dotted lines in Fig. 3; without danger of the spout engaging the table. The top section 3b is formed with an opening 4 in registry with the opening 2b and recessed at M to accommodate a swingable handle B infiush relation with the top surface of the section 3b" (see Fig. 2) when in in-operative position. The handle 5 consists of a bail 5a rotatably supporting a grip 5b between the legs 50/ thereof. The outer end portions of the bail legs 5a are bent laterally outwardly and project into openings 4b formed in the outer side Walls of the recess 4a to provide a pivotal connection for the ball with the top wall la. The walls of the openings 4b are preferably reinforced by nipples 4b which may be spot welded to the inner surface of the sheet metal section 3b. As shown; the recess 4a has'a contour approximating the shape of they bail 5a; the inner side walls of the recessbeing expanded inwardly as shown at Bso as to lap over the legs 50. (see Figs. 1 and 6) v to serve as a spring catch for the bail to detachably hold the handle in the recess 40, and hence 2c in close engagement to its inner wall and is tight connection between the annulus'l andwalls of the section 3b'due to screwing the closure 8. into final sealingposition. The lower portion of.

the wall la within the spout Zmand the flange Tc:

throughout the area of spout 250' are cut away as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, to permitflowrof the contents of the jar therefrom through the.spout.2x,: the wall lb being continuousxand bridging the: spout to reinforce the threaded. portion of the. wall la; also, the wall la diametrically opposite: the spout 2:1: is embossed outwardly (that is, the. screw threads in this wall.are.transversely"muti lated) to form a channel. Ta"which serves as a: vent when the closure isbacked-up as shown in Fig. 3, whereby discharge of the jar contentsmayi be readily controlled. The annulus 'l'. is secured; in position by a ring: 9, which is preferablyianrgular in'cross section. The inner side of: the ring 9. is seated against the flange 1c and. suitably soldered thereto. The periphery of: the other side' of the ring e engages the wall of the top end sectiontb and'is preferably'soldered thereto. The 1 wall of the section 3b,.in which the opening 4 is formed, is preferably extendedanol bent down wardly and inwardlyasshown at. ill. to form. a.

. chamber around the neck 2c,,which' chamberiis filled with suitable cement. or a material capable. of hardening. tdiorm. a liquidtight seal around the neck and thelouter member 3. By preference: the wall l0 isroif-set. at liia. to accommodate the outer side of the ring 9 and the neck Zaterminates in a plane below the topsurfacegof thetop lc so that the outer surfaces of, theannulus'l; and. ring a are flush with this surface.

The closure 8 is preferably hollow to form with in it a-dead-air space to retard transfer of heat to or from the jar contents. In theillustrated form of construction the closure isformedv of. sheet metal and comprises inner. and outer mem bers, the inner member consisting or, a 'bottom wall 8a and a side wall 81). Thebottom wall of' the member 8a is formed with an annular off:- set 8a to provide a seat for. a suitable gasket ll" adapted to engage an inwardly extending flange 20 at the inner end of'jthe neck 2c,to sealfthe opening through the latter whenthe closure is" in final position. The sidewall of the off-set Bais expanded inwardly throughout itscircumference, so-as to lock the'gasket'l igin itsseat. The side wall fibis shaped to provide screw threads to mesh with the threads-on the wall id,- whereby of the side wall 8?) and may be soldered thereto. The sheet metal plate is shaped in any suitable manner to form side by side recesses l2, the inner Walls I2a therebetween being adapted to serve as a handle for turning the closure 8.

As shown in Fig. 1, the recess 4a is enlarged at 4a: to facilitate raising the handle therefrom and also relieved at 4x to permitth e flexing of the legs 5a" inwardly for insertion. in the openings 51).

From the foregoing description it will be noted that when the closure 8 is screwed into sealing position with the gasket I I in engagement with the neck flange both the opening 21) and vent l-a' are closed, but when the closure is backedup the vent and spout are in communication with the interior of the jar and permit free flow of its contents therefrom.

It will be obvious that our form of jug or jar construction has many advantages, by having fiat sides, danger of its rollin when toppled over is avoided and one side serves as a support when discharge of the contents of the jar takes place. By arranging the discharge opening adjacent one side of the jar, its entire contents may flow out.

To insure complete emptying when the jar is pcsitioned as shown in Fig. 3, a stone or block may be inserted under that end of the jar adjacent its bottom lb, the effect of which is to tilt that wall adjacent the spout 250. By providing the opening 2b with vented sealing and emptying devices so that communication is established between the interior of the jar and the spout when the closure is backed-up, the contents may be discharged into a glass or other receptacle without danger of waste and the disadvantages incident thereto. By backing-up the closure a greater or lesser distance the rate of flow of the jar contents may be readily controlled. bodily manipulation of the jar is avoided.

Fig. 7 illustrates a modified form of construction having ribs I 3, 13', around the sides la of the jar or container l and spaced from the top and bottom thereof, respectively, but wherein the rib 13' extends outwardly from the sides I a a reater distance than that of the rib l3. Accordingly when the jar is positioned for emptying as shown, the Wall next to the emptying opening is inclined to facilitate flow of the jar contents as well as complete discharge thereof.

To those skilled in the art to which our invention relates many. changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will be apparent without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Our disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and not intended to be in any sense limiting.

What we claim is:

1. A thermal container having bottom, top and side walls and comprising an inner member, an outer member in spaced relation to said inner member and a filling of heat insulation material between said members, the top walls of said inner and outer members being formed with alined openings, an outwardly extending neck on the inner member and provided at one side with a spout extending outwardly beyond said outer member, an annulus consisting of inner and outer walls fitting over and seated on the outer end of said neck, means for connecting in a liquid tight manner the outer wall of said annulus to said outer member of the container, the inner wall of said annulus being provided with screw threads and the lower portion of said inner wall within said spout being cut-away, and at a point spaced In carrying out these operations,

from said spout said inner wall being embossed. outwardly to form a recess extending from end to end thereof, an inwardly extending flange on said neck inwardly of the inner wall ofsaid annulus, and an externally threaded closure fitting the inner wall of said annulus for engaging said flange to close said opening but arranged when backed-up to permit out-flow of the container contents through said cut-away to said spout and intake of air through said recess. a

2. A container of the type having inner and outer walls and a medium between them to retard transfer of heat through said walls and constructed to provide a bottom, top and sides, the top being formed with an opening in eccentric relation to the axis of said container, said inner wall being provided with an outwardly extending collar in surrounding relation to said opening and the outer portion of said collar being laterally extended to form a spout, an annular wall fixedly mounted in said collar and provided with screw threads, said annular wall being formed with an opening in registry with said spout and with a longitudinal outwardly extending recess at a point spaced from said spout, an annular seat on said inner wall surrounding said opening inwardly of said annular wall, and an externally threaded closure for engaging the screw threads on said annular wall, whereby it may be tightened against said annular seat to close the said opening but arranged when backed-up to permit outfiow of the container contents to and through said spout and intake of air through said recess, the side of said container adjacent said spout being adapted to be supported on a support during emptying of said container.

3. A thermal container of the type having inner and outer walls and a medium between them to retard the transfer of heat through said walls and constructed to provide a bottom, top and sides, one of said sides being flat, the top being formed with a filling and emptying opening in eccentric relation to the axis of the container and adjacent the flat side thereof, the outer end of said opening terminating flush with the outer surface of said top, combined sealing and emptying devices disposed entirely within said opening for closing it, one of said devices being movable outwardly for controlling the discharge of the container contents through said opening, said top between said opening the other sides of the container being formed with a recess, a handle pivotally mounted in the side walls of said recess and arranged to be seated therein below the top surface of said top, and means in said recess for detachably holding the handle therein.

HARRY E. scHRoEDER. JOHN B. MEEK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,103,679 Kline et al. Dec. 28, 1937 1,431,189 Smith Oct. 10, 1922 1,771,123 Johnson July 22, 1930 2,176,012 Payson et al. Oct. 10, 1939 1,555,383 Ramslie Sept. 29, 1925 2,054,754 Kellogg Sept. 15, 1936 2,267,755 Schroeder Dec. 30, 1941 (Uther references on following page) V 1923,212 120mm J. 675172 6 l'fi 5,4, 1 4.4: v21,326,434: 224: ,4'19 1,158,345 518,272

fjName :Date

.Feb. .10., .1880 Jan. 18, 1 91.6 Sept. 25,11866 Number 5 Number 8 Name liDate Block v June 13', 1933 ,Dunton, M91243, r1863 FOREIGN PATENTS 

